Germany has always been a top destination for those who want to work overseas.
The good news is that Germany has a lot of job opportunities and is also facing a skills shortage as per recent reports. By 2030 Germany is expected to have a skills shortage of at least 3 million workers. This trend is expected to continue in 2021 and beyond. So, what are the jobs that will be in high demand in Germany in 2021?
According to CEDEFOP, European Center for the Development of Vocational Training, which created a Skills Forecast for Germany up to 2025, employment growth is expected to be in business and other services. The report says around 25% of the job opportunities will be for professionals and the job opportunities will be for high-level professionals.
The job opportunities in Germany in 2021 and beyond will be a combination of newly created jobs and the need to replace those who leave due to retirement or move on to other jobs. In fact, one major reason for the skill shortage in Germany is an aging population.
Medical professionals
The healthcare sector will see more demand for nurses and caregivers, owing to the increase in the aging population in the country. Most job openings are expected in Southern and Eastern Germany.
Individuals with a foreign degree in medicine can move to the country and get a license to practice medicine here. Applicants from both EU and non-Eu countries can obtain a license to practice in Germany. But their degree must be equal to the medical qualification in Germany.
Engineering professionals
The following fields in engineering are expected to have a high number of vacancies. A university degree in any of these engineering fields will have good career prospects:
- Structural engineering
- Computer science engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Telecommunications
There will be job opportunities in technical research and development, software development and programming and IT application consulting.
Job opportunities in MINT – Mathematics, Information technology, Natural sciences, and Technology
Individuals with degrees in mathematics, information technology, natural sciences, and technology (MINT) will have job opportunities in the private sector and research institutes.
Jobs in non-specialized areas
There will also be Job opportunities that do not require specialized qualifications such as nursing, industrial mechanics and retail sales.
Here are the salary details of the top sectors that are in demand
| Sector | Average monthly salary |
| Information technology | 3,830 EUR |
| Banking | 4,140 EUR |
| Telecommunications | 3,360 EUR |
| Human resources | 3,600 EUR |
| Engineering | 3,220 EUR |
| Marketing, advertising, PR | 4,270 EUR |
| Construction, real estate | 2,240 EUR |
Impact of Coronavirus pandemic on job outlook
However, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, the outlook has changed.
German employers are expecting the hiring to slow down. Hiring prospects are expected to be bright in the construction, finance and business service and other service sectors. It is expected to slow down in the restaurants and hotel sector.
Going by the trend, the demand for foreign personnel will increase further with the baby boomer generation set to retire in 2024. There will also be heavy job openings in the healthcare sector especially for nurses. There will be a demand for junior level positions in skilled trades and service profession and also in the warehouse and logistics sector.
Germany is expected to have several job openings in various fields in 2021 and beyond. If you are qualified for any of the jobs described above, then you can try your luck and look for a job in Germany.